Crossbones by John L. Campbell Page A

intended as a disposable unit upon which they would test the twenty-millimeter close-in weapon system, the CIWS. There were no technicians aboard qualified for launch and operation.
    Seated at the small table beside Elizabeth, Coseboom simply tapped a pencil slowly against the surface.
    â€œLight arms?” asked Liz.
    Amy answered without hesitation. “Four M2 heavy machine guns, approximately eighteen hundred rounds. One M16 assault rifle, one hundred twenty rounds. Five Sig Sauer P229s; three from the armory, two brought aboard during the action at the pier, along with whatever firearm the captain brought aboard. Approximately one hundred rounds.”
    Elizabeth looked at her watch. She would need to return to the bridge soon. “Tell me about
Klondike
’s survivors.”
    It was Boomer who spoke. “We pulled seven out of the water. Three were injured, and Amy took them to sick bay. The other four were whole, and we put them to work.” He gave their ranks. None were officers.
    â€œAnd where do we stand on crew?” Liz directed this at the ensign.
    Amy turned another page. “Five civilians: two plumbers, two electricians, and one IT tech. For enlisted personnel we have two engineers, a machinery tech and the main propulsion assistant, three bosun’s mates, two food service specialists, one electrician’s mate, and one electronics tech.” She rubbed at her tired eyes. “We have a quartermaster, a damage controlman, a helmsman and Petty Officer Vargas as our operations specialist.” She cleared her throat. “Chief Newman is ranking . . . except for the senior chief who came aboard with you.” Amy didn’t look at her captain as she said this, but Boomer fixed her with a stare.
    Elizabeth turned to meet the man’s gaze. “Very well,” she said, “Lieutenant Commander Coseboom is now executive officer and will assume all the responsibilities of the gunner’s mates, as well as his own law enforcement and boarding party duties. Petty Officer Vargas will stand in as electronic warfare department head. Amy, you now run not only propulsion, but all of engineering.” She pointed. “I want those contractors working to get everything online as soon as possible, do you understand?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    Liz stood. “Everyone is going to have to wear many hats to take up the slack for absent crew.”
    â€œAnd our
guest
, Captain?” Boomer said, standing as well.
    â€œSenior Chief Kidd will become acting department head for the deck division,” Liz said. “His rate also makes him chief of the boat.”
    Amy nodded, but Boomer just stared.
    â€œThat will be all,” Liz said, and Amy scooted out of the office.
    â€œLiz,” said Coseboom, catching the woman’s arm before she could go. “I need a word.”
    The captain closed the door and faced her new XO.
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    A my Liggett returned to the bridge and gave out the assignments as she had been directed, then spoke to the quartermaster. “Where are we, Mr. Waite, and where are we going?”
    The QM2 pointed to a spot on a digital chart table and said, “I’ve turned us due west, with Seattle to our stern, and we are making flank speed along the approximate route of the Bainbridge Island Ferry.” He gestured out the bridge windows. “It’s getting pretty crowded out here.”
    Amy looked at the surface navigation scope to see that it was clustered with shapes. A glimpse out the windows showed that the sound was rapidly filling with vessels of all sizes, from behemoth Japanese car carriers and oil tankers to freighters, tugs, container ships, and hundreds of smaller craft, both charter and private. Most were heading away from the city, and many were turning north. There were plenty of low-flying aircraft as well, mostly police and news helicopters, but small civilian planes